Generic special service mailing assembly and a system and method for automating the imaging of same

ABSTRACT

An assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a special service and a method and system for imaging the same are provided. The assembly includes a generic mailing label having a back side adhesively and detachably affixed to a backing sheet. The label may be imaged with all of the information necessary to serve as one of many types of special service mailing labels. The label also includes a return address portion which, after being imprinted with a return address on a front side, may be folded over and affixed to a back side of a return receipt postcard portion of the label. Removal of the label from the associated backing sheet allows the label to be permanently affixed to a mailpiece. Upon delivery of the mailpiece, the return receipt postcard portion of the label may be removed and forwarded to the sender of the mailpiece as a return receipt. A method and system for the automatic imaging of such a mailing label are also provided wherein the sender of the mailpiece may obtain a special service mailing label from a vending-type machine upon providing all of the required information for the desired special mailing service.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/855,032, filed on May 13, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a form for mailing an articlerequiring special services. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a generic mailing label which may be configured to serve as aspecial service mailing label and which may be automatically dispensedby a mailing label vending machine. In addition, the present inventionrelates to a method and system for fully automating the imaging of ageneric mailing label to configure the same as a special service mailinglabel.

It is, of course, known to provide specialized postal processing andhandling of particular mailpieces. Such special services include thepreparation of certified mail, registered mail, insured mail, recordeddelivery mail, return receipt for merchandise mail, C.O.D. and the like.The primary disadvantage of such special service mailings is that theyrequire a rather extensive amount of manual preparation and labor priorto mailing. The known procedures typically require printing or writinginformation on various slips of paper and then attaching such slips tothe outside of an envelope or other mailpiece. Often, carbon paper isused to assist in making the attachments. As an example, to prepare acertified mailpiece, the forms are supplied by the United States PostalService to the customer. The customer must separately address andcomplete a certified mailing receipt, both faces of a return receiptcard, an envelope or mailpiece in which the mail is to be mailed and arequest for return service on the face of the envelope. Then, thecustomer or postal service employee must affix each of the completedparts to the envelope using glue, an adhesive, tape or the like.

Clearly, the current methods known for preparing mailpieces or shippingitems for special services are tedious, complicated, and laborintensive, particularly for businesses and institutions in which itemssuch as notifications, reminders, or valuable documents are commonlysent by specialized mail services. In many instances, the delivery ofsuch mailpieces must be documented by recording of U.S. Postal Serviceor other service return receipt when it arrives back to the sender. Thistask is also time consuming and has great potential for error when allof the identifying information from each return receipt card must beentered or recorded by hand.

Despite these shortcomings, the various special service types of mailingare still used extensively by individuals as well as companies. However,when the above-mentioned difficulties in processing such mail andpreparing the same for mailing are multiplied by a large number ofmailpieces, the time and labor intensive nature of preparing the specialservice mailings becomes quite costly and results in an inefficient useof employee time. Further complicating such procedures is the fact thatdifferent types of forms and envelopes are used for each different typeof special mailing service.

A need, therefore, exists for an improved special service mailingassembly which can be prepared substantially automatically and which canbe used for all types of special mailing services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a generic mailing label which can beautomatically configured to serve as a special service mailing label. Inaddition, the present invention provides a method and a system for fullyautomating the imaging of the generic mailing label to configure thesame as a special service mailing label.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a specialservice mailing assembly is provided which includes a backing sheet anda generic mailing label which is removably attached to the backingsheet. The generic mailing label includes a return receipt postcardportion and a return address portion wherein the return address portionis attached to the return postcard portion without a line of separationtherebetween. The label further includes anchor portions wherein thereturn receipt postcard portion is disposed between the anchor portions.The label may be variably printed with information and/or colors suchthat the label may be used to implement a selected one of a plurality ofspecial services.

In an embodiment, an adhesive layer is disposed between the mailinglabel and the backing sheet.

In an embodiment, the assembly includes a special service designationsection which identifies the type of special mailing service selected.In addition, the assembly includes a special service information sectionwhich includes all of the necessary mailing information to send themailpiece via the special mailing service desired.

In an embodiment, the assembly includes a colored background whichconforms with existing postal guidelines on color designation for theparticular special service selected.

In an embodiment, the return receipt postcard portion is detachable fromthe anchor portions.

In an embodiment, the assembly includes tear lines positioned betweenadjoining edges of the return receipt postcard portion and the anchorportions wherein the return receipt postcard portion is removablyconnected to the anchor portions.

In an embodiment, the assembly includes a fold line positioned betweenadjoining edges of the return receipt postcard portion and the returnaddress portion.

In an embodiment, the assembly includes an auxiliary label adhesivelyaffixed to the backing sheet and detachably connected to the mailinglabel.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary label is laterally disposed from thereturn receipt postcard portion and adjacent to the return addressportion.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary label remains adhesively affixed to aportion of the backing sheet upon detachment from the mailing label.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary label is a mailing receipt.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided forautomating the imaging of a generic mailing label for a special purpose.The method includes the steps of: providing a label including a returnpostcard portion and a return address portion wherein the return addressportion is attached to the return postcard portion without a line ofseparation therebetween; selecting a specific type of special mailingservice; entering all the necessary information relating to the specifictype of special mailing service; processing the information to generatecorresponding imaging data, the imaging data including a return address;and printing the imaging data onto the label and printing the returnaddress on the return address portion.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: indicatingthe specific type of special mailing service; and entering a specificarticle number on the label.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing acolored background on an area of the label, the colored backgroundconforming with existing postal guidelines on color designations forspecial mailing services.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of calculating acost for the specific type of special mailing service selected.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system is providedfor automating the imaging of a generic mailing label for a specialpurpose. The system includes means for providing a label including areturn postcard portion and a return address portion wherein the returnaddress portion is attached to the return postcard portion without aline of separation therebetween, means for selecting a specific type ofspecial mailing service, means for entering all necessary informationrelating to the specific type of special mailing service, means forprocessing the information to generate corresponding imaging datawherein the imaging data includes a return address, and means forprinting imaging data onto the label and for printing the return addresson the return address portion.

In an embodiment, the means for printing indicates on the label theselected one of the plurality of special mailing service and enters anarticle number on the label.

In an embodiment, the means for printing provides a colored backgroundon a designated area of the label, the colored background conformingwith existing postal guidelines on a color designation representative ofthe selected one of the plurality of special mailing services.

In an embodiment, the system further includes means for calculating acost associated with delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one ofthe plurality of special mailing services.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide animproved assembly for mailing an article requiring delivery by a specialservice.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly,method and system for mailing an article requiring delivery by a specialservice without requiring additional adhesives or fixatives forattaching the same to a mailpiece.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assemblyincluding a mailing label and a backing sheet which provides forautomatic imaging of the variable information thereon resulting in aspecial service mailing label.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an assemblyincluding a mailing label wherein the mailing label includes both areturn receipt postcard portion and a return address portion such thatthere is no line of separation therebetween and such that a front sideof the return address portion may be imprinted with a return address andthen folded over and affixed to a back side of the return receiptpostcard portion.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a genericmailing label which may be configured to serve as one of many types ofspecial service mailing label.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a specialservice mailing label which may be automatically generated, andobtained, from a postal vending machine.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a simplifiedmethod and system for mailing an article requiring delivery by a specialservice.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem which is fully automated.

Additionally, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide amethod and system for configuring a generic mailing label to serve asone of several types of special service mailing label.

In addition, an advantage of the present invention is to provide amethod and system for generating a special service mailing label from apostal vending machine.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a front side of an embodiment of themailing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a back side of an embodiment of themailing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a back side of an embodiment of themailing label removed from the mailing assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a front side of an embodimentof the mailing label affixed to a mailpiece with a return receiptpostcard of the mailing label detached from anchor portions of themailing label.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a back side of an embodiment of thereturn receipt postcard of the mailing label of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a system for printingand dispensing special service mailing labels of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of a method forcreating labels necessary for delivery of an article by a specialservice of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a front side of a second embodiment ofthe mailing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a back side of the second embodimentof the mailing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a back side of the second embodimentof the mailing label removed from the backing sheet of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a front side of the secondembodiment of the mailing assembly with an auxiliary label removed andwith a return address portion folded onto a back side of a returnreceipt postcard portion.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a back side of the second embodimentof the mailing assembly showing the return address portion folded backonto the back side of the return receipt postcard portion.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a front side of the secondembodiment of the mailing label affixed to a mailpiece.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a front side of the secondembodiment of the mailing label affixed to a mailpiece with the returnreceipt postcard portion of the mailing label detached from anchorportions of the mailing label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, FIG. 1 is a front plan view that generally illustrates anembodiment of a mailing assembly 1 formed from a mailing label 2 and abacking sheet 3. A number of these mailing assemblies 1 may becontinuously and detachably interconnected (end-to-end, for example)such that the mailing assemblies 1 may be provided on a reel or roll.The reel or roll may be provided for use with, for example, a dispensingdevice. The mailing label 2 may be peeled away from the backing sheet 3whereupon the mailing label 2 subsequently may be affixed to amailpiece. The mailing assembly 1 is capable for use in mailing anarticle requiring a particular type of special mailing service. Suchmailing services include certified mail, insured mail, registered mail,recorded delivery mail, C.O.D., return receipt for merchandise and thelike. Further, the mailing assembly 1 is intended to serve the needs ofboth individual users (made available, for example, at a local postoffice) and business users (addressing such needs as On-Demand and/orPoint-Of-Sale applications).

The mailing assembly 1, in combination with the mailing label 2, forms ageneric mailing label which, after imprinting, can be used for any oneof a plurality of special services required for delivery of a givenmailpiece. Therefore, the mailing assembly 1 may be incorporated for usein a system and method described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6and 7 for any one of a plurality of special services required fordelivery of a mailpiece without requiring a different form for each oneof the plurality of special services generally available and offered by,for example, the United States Postal Service.

The mailing label 2 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 consists of fourprimary parts: a first anchor portion 5, a second anchor portion 6, anauxiliary label 21 and a return receipt postcard 4. The return receiptpostcard 4 is removably attached to the first anchor portion 5 along afirst perforated tear line 7 and removably attached to the second anchorportion 6 along a second perforated tear line 8. The significance of thedetachability of the return receipt postcard 4 is discussed in moredetail in connection with FIG. 4.

The return receipt postcard 4 of the mailing label 2 includes a numberof information areas necessary for the proper delivery andacknowledgment of a mailpiece via a particular type of special mailingservice. Specifically, the return receipt postcard 4 includes a specialservice identification area 9 which, pursuant to specific mailingrequirements desired by a user of the mailing label 2, is imprinted withinformation relating to the type of special mailing service used, theindividual article number for that particular mailpiece and, in somecases, a colored background which is representative of the one colorthat the postal service has designated for that particular type ofmailing service. For example, if it is desired that a mailpiece be sentvia certified mail, special service identification area 9 may includethe words "CERTIFIED MAIL, " a designated article number and asubstantially green background. Other background colors used for thespecial service identification area 9 include, for example, blue forinsured mail, red for registered mail and brown for return receipt formerchandise. Therefore, the mailing label 2 may be imprinted with acolor on demand and/or a designation on demand; i.e., "CERTIFIED MAIL".The mailing label 2 is generic in format so that it is capable ofreceiving information on demand relating to the type of special servicerequested. Indeed, the mailing label 2 may be provided with allpreprinted information omitted so as to allow the greatest flexibilityfor on demand form change and the inclusion of foreign text. Inaccordance therewith, the present invention contemplates special servicecircumstances wherein the return receipt postcard 4 is not used.

In addition, the return receipt postcard 4 includes an article addresseearea 10 for the imprinting of the addressee's address. Such informationmay, if so desired, also be completed by the sender, prior to mailing,in an addressee address section 13. Both the special serviceidentification area 9 and the article addressee area 10 may have abackground color that contrasts with the color of the remainder of thereturn receipt postcard 4 so as to facilitate the reading of anymachine-readable code which may be imprinted in these areas. Otherareas, as well, may include similar color-contrasting portions.

Other information which may be imprinted on the return receipt postcard4 includes the relevant sender information in a sender information area11 and tracking information found in a document control area 12. Suchtracking information includes, at least, a document control number barcode and a specific article number. Indeed, such tracking information isintended to include the United States Postal Service's tracking barcoding symbols which would, of course, be compatible with the Service'sexisting track and trace network.

Upon delivery of the relevant mailpiece, additional information may beentered on the return receipt postcard 4. Indeed, the name of theindividual receiving such mailpiece may be entered in a "Received By"area 14, his or her signature entered in a signature area 15 and thedate on which delivery of the mailpiece occurred entered in a "Date ofDelivery" area 16.

The first anchor portion 5 and the second anchor portion 6 serve thepurpose of securing the mailing label 2 to a mailpiece. The first anchorportion 5 also contains various identifier information which correspondsto that which is on the return receipt postcard 4. Specifically, thefirst anchor portion 5 includes the same special service mailinginformation which is found in the special service identification areawindow 9 of the return receipt postcard 4.

Similarly, the auxiliary label 21 may include the return address of thesender of the mailpiece much like that information which is found in thesender information area 11. If desired, the auxiliary label 21 may bepeeled off of the backing sheet 3, detached from the second anchorportion 6 along a third perforated tear line 22 and affixed to themailpiece 20 as a conventional return address label separate and apartfrom the remainder of the mailing label 2. Preferably, the back side ofthe auxiliary label 21 includes an adhesive that allows the label 21 tobe removed from the backing sheet 3 and subsequently attached to themailpiece. Alternatively, the auxiliary label 21 may include addressinformation regarding to whom the mailpiece is being sent. When printedwith addressee's information, the label 21 may be detached and attachedto the mailpiece as a mailing label.

Yet another use of the auxiliary label 21 is as a customer receipt. Thereceipt may include, for example, such information as the articlenumber, the addressee's address, the type of special mailing serviceused and the fees associated for such service. When used in this manner,the label 21 may not be peeled away from the backing sheet 3. Rather,that portion of the backing sheet 3 which is adhesively connected to theauxiliary label 21 may remain affixed thereto as the label 21 isdetached from the rest of the mailing label 2 along perforation line 22.Of course, the auxiliary label 21, when constructed as a customerreceipt, may be provided without an adhesive backing.

As mentioned above, upon delivery of the relevant mailpiece, the returnreceipt postcard 4 may be detached from the rest of the mailing label 2along the first and second perforated tear lines 7 and 8, respectively.Identical identifying information is contained on both the returnreceipt postcard 4 and the first anchor portion 5 to aid in the accuratetracking of the mailpiece both during and after delivery.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a back plan view of an embodiment of themailing assembly 1 is illustrated. This back side consists entirely ofthe backing sheet 3, given that the backing sheet 3 has height and widthdimensions greater than those of the mailing label 2 (see FIG. 1). Thebacking sheet 3 includes a frozen printable "Return To" area 19 which isscored along score/cut line 18 and which is removably separable from therest of the backing sheet 3 so as to remain securely attached to thereturn receipt postcard 4. After printing an address on the frozenprintable "Return To" area 19, the backing sheet 3 may be removed fromthe mailing label 2 without removal of the frozen printable "Return To"area 19. The combination of the backing sheet 3 with the frozenprintable "Return To" area 19 provides a uniform thickness in themailing assembly 1 which simplifies the printing of the same. Indeed,this also allows both sides of the mailing assembly 1 to besubstantially simultaneously imprinted with information, if so desired.Of course, the backing sheet 3 may be constructed continuously, i.e.without a frozen label, such that removal of the backing sheet 3 exposesthe entire back side of the return receipt postcard 4. Still further,the backing sheet 3 may be constructed with a cut-out section at thepoint of the frozen label such that the printing of the return addressis performed directly on the back side of the return receipt postcard 4.Also present on the backing sheet 3 is the perforation line 22 which, ifit is desired that the auxiliary label 21 be used as a customer receipt,allows that portion of the backing sheet 3 which may be adhesivelyconnected to the auxiliary label 21 to be detached from the rest of thebacking sheet 3 along with the auxiliary label 21.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a back side of the mailing label 2 of thepresent invention after removal of the backing sheet 3 thereon. Asshown, the back sides of the first anchor portion 5 and the secondanchor portion 6 are covered with an adhesive coating which serves thedual purpose of removably attaching the mailing label 2 to the backingsheet 3 and, subsequently, permanently attaching the mailing label 2 toa mailpiece. The auxiliary label 21 also has an adhesive backingwhereby, upon detachment from the second anchor portion 6 along thethird perforated tear line 22, the auxiliary label 21 may be affixed toa mailpiece as either a conventional return address label or anaddressee's label. The return receipt postcard 4, defined as that areabetween the first perforated tear line 7 and the second perforated tearline 8, does not include any such adhesive backing.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a sample mailpiece 20 isshown having the mailing label 2 affixed thereupon. Actual affixation ofthe mailing label 2 to the mailpiece 20 is achieved via the adhesivebacking found on the first and second anchor portions 5 and 6,respectively. Upon delivery of the mailpiece 20, the return receiptpostcard 4 is detached from the rest of the mailing label 2 along thefirst and second perforated tear lines 7 and 8, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of the back side of the return receiptpostcard 4. Information contained on this side of the return receiptpostcard 4 is sufficient to allow the card to be mailed back to theproper sender. As shown, this side of the return receipt postcard 4includes a "Return To" area 19 and a postage information area 17.Typically, the postage information area 17 is imprinted with prepaidpostage information to allow for the immediate and prepaid returndelivery of the return receipt postcard 4 to the proper sender.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in black-box form, an embodiment of the system 30 ofthe present invention. The system 30 may, for example, be in the form ofa kiosk or vending machine which processes information and printsspecial service mailing labels implementing the mailing labelembodiments previously described. Again, the system 30 is intended toserve not only the needs of individual users (made available, forexample, at a local post office) but also the needs of privatebusinesses. The system 30 may include a display 31 by which users of thesystem 30 (senders of special service mailpieces) are prompted to entercertain information. These users may then both select a particular typeof special mailing service and enter all of the necessary mailinginformation associated with such special mailing service through aninput device 32. The present invention contemplates a variety ofdisplays 31 and input devices 32 and combinations of the same, includingtouch screens and/or keyboards. Both the display 31 and the input device32 are in communication with a processor 33. The processor 33 hasultimate control over the information transmitted and received via thedisplay 31 and the input device 32.

Once all of the details of the selected special mailing service desiredare confirmed, the processor 33 determines a cost associated with theselected special mailing service. Payment for such service may then berequired via a payment mechanism 34. The payment mechanism 34 mayinclude coin/bill slots, credit card readers, keypads or the like. Inaddition, the system 30 may include a scale 35 or other like weighingdevice to compute the weight of the mailpiece. The processor 33 may takesuch weight into consideration when determining the cost for theselected special service.

Upon payment of the required fee at the payment mechanism 34, theprocessor 33 instructs the printer 36 to print the necessary specialservice mailing information upon a generic mailing label of the presentinvention. As already discussed in connection with the above-referencedembodiments, such information includes both addressee and senderinformation and, more importantly, the special mailing service to beused, the specific article mailing number and the colored backgroundassociated with this special service. Indeed, the printer 36 has fullcolor-printing capabilities to allow for the imprinting of a particularcolor on the various areas of a generic mailing label for the label'seffective use as a special service mailing label. Having been configuredfor a special mailing service, the label may then be affixed to thedesired mailpiece.

Referring now to a detailed description of the method of the presentinvention as illustrated in an embodiment shown in the flow chart ofFIG. 7, the method provides for the fully automatic imaging of a genericmailing label whereupon such label may serve a special service mailingpurpose. The method may be performed using the system 30 as describedabove.

The method of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7includes a step 41 of selecting the preferred type of mail deliveryservice from a Special Service Mailing (SSM) vending machine. As alreadydiscussed, such services may include certified mail, registered mail,insured mail, recorded delivery mail, return receipt for merchandisemail, C.O.D. and the like. Pursuant to the present method, a singlegeneric mailing label, such as that illustrated with reference to FIGS.1-5, may be configured to serve as a special service mailing label forany one type of these special services. Step 42 requires that certaininput data be entered based upon the type of SSM service selected instep 41. Such input data may include the type of special service,addressee's information, sender's information and the like. Step 43provides for the storage of all such data which relates to thisparticular SSM label.

Step 44 provides for the calculation of a cost for the selected SSMservice. Accordingly, prior to the actual imaging of a SSM mailinglabel, payment for such service, if required, must be completed at step45. The method of payment pursuant to the present invention may be, forexample, an actual cash transaction, debiting of a credit card, chargingto an account number via a keypad, etc. The system 30 may incorporate ascale or other like weighing device (not shown) to compute weight of themailpiece. The cost of delivery of a mailpiece may be affected by theweight and/or size of the mailpiece, the distance in which the mailpieceis sent, and/or the type of special service. Of course, other variablesmay exist that affect the cost of delivery of any given mailpiece.

Step 46 provides for the processing of the stored data to createcorresponding imaging data which will be printed on the SSM label. Atstep 47, the imaging data is actually transferred onto the mailinglabel. Again, such information includes both addressee and senderinformation and, more importantly, the special mailing service to beused, a specific article mailing number and the colored backgroundassociated with this special service. The actual transfer of imagingdata at step 47 therefore includes imprinting a particular color on thevarious areas of the generic mailing label for the label's effective useas a special service mailing label. Once the configuration of thegeneric mailing label as a special service mailing label is complete,the label is dispensed from the vending machine.

FIGS. 8-14 offer an alternative embodiment of the mailing assembly ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, a mailing assembly 101 isformed from a mailing label 102 and a backing sheet 103. A number ofmailing assemblies 101 may be continuously and detachably interconnectedsuch that the mailing assemblies 101 may be provided on a reel or roll.The mailing label 102 has of a return receipt postcard portion 104, afirst anchor portion 105, a second anchor portion 106, a third anchorportion 107, a return address portion 108 and an auxiliary label 109.The return receipt postcard portion 104 is removably attached to thefirst, second and third anchor portions 105, 106 and 107 along first,second and third perforated tear lines 110, 111 and 112, respectively.The return address portion 108 is removably attached to the third anchorportion 107 along a fourth perforated tear line 113 and is removablyattached to the auxiliary label 109 along a fifth perforated tear line114. Further, auxiliary label 109 is removably attached to the secondanchor portion 106 along a sixth perforated tear line 115 and isremovably attached to the return address portion 108 along the fifthperforated tear line 114. The significance of the detachability of theabove-referenced elements will be discussed in more detail below.

Similar to the mailing label embodiment discussed in connection withFIG. 1, the return receipt postcard portion 104 of the mailing label 102as shown in FIG. 8 includes a number of information areas necessary forthe proper delivery and acknowledgment of a mailpiece via a particulartype of special mailing service. Specifically, the return receiptpostcard portion 104 includes a special service identification area 116,an article number area 117, an addressee identification area 118, asender identification area 119, a document control area 120 including adocument control number bar code and a specific article number, anaddressee address area 121, a "received-by" area 122, a signature area123 and a date of delivery area 124.

The mailing label 102 of FIG. 8 includes a return address portion 108which is laterally disposed and connected to the return receipt postcardportion 104 along a fold line 128. The return address portion 108 iscapable of being imprinted with variable information on a front side.Such information includes a return address 126 and a return address barcode 127 corresponding to the bar codes also found in the specialservice identification area 116 and the document control area 120.

The return address portion 108 is intended to serve as the primaryreturn address for the return receipt postcard portion 104 afterdelivery of the corresponding mailpiece to which the mailing label 102is affixed. Specifically, once the mailing label 102 is removed from itsassociated backing sheet 103, and prior to such mailing label 102 beingaffixed to a corresponding mailpiece, the return address portion 108 isfirst detached from the auxiliary label 109 along the fifth perforatedtear line 114 and from the third anchor portion 107 along the fourthperforated tear line 113 and is then folded back along fold line 128 andadhesively affixed to a back side of the return receipt postcard portion104. As shown in FIG. 8, the return address 126 and the return addressbar code 127 are seemingly "upside-down" in the present embodiment so asto be "right side-up" on the back side of the return receipt postcardportion 104 when serving its intended purpose as the primary returnaddress for the return receipt postcard portion 104.

The auxiliary label 109 is also laterally displaced from the returnreceipt postcard portion 104 whereby it is adjacently positioned to thereturn address portion 108. Such configuration allows for the compactand elongated structure for the overall mailing label 102. The auxiliarylabel 109, having a primary function as a mailing receipt, may bedetachably removed from the second anchor portion 106 and the returnaddress portion 108 along the sixth and fifth perforated tear lines 115and 114, respectively. The fifth and sixth perforated tear lines 114,115 penetrate through both the mailing label 102 and the backing sheet103. Accordingly, the auxiliary label 109 may be detachably removed froma remainder of the mailing assembly 101 with a correspondingly-sizedportion of the backing sheet 103 remaining affixed thereto.

Referring to FIG. 9, a back plan view of the second embodiment of themailing assembly 101 is illustrated. The back side has the backing sheet103 which includes the fifth and sixth perforated tear lines 114, 115which correspond to the outer edges of the auxiliary label 109. Suchconfiguration allows this portion of the backing sheet 103 to remainaffixed to the auxiliary label 109 when the auxiliary label 109 isdetached from the remainder of the mailing assembly 101.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the back side of the mailing label 102after removal of the associated backing sheet 103. As shown, the backsides of the first anchor portion 105, the second anchor portion 106,the third anchor portion 107, the return address portion 108 and theauxiliary label 109 are all covered with an adhesive coating 125 (shadedareas shown with diagonal lines). Conversely, the return receiptpostcard portion 104 does not include any such adhesive coating 125. Theadhesive coating 125 is also found on the first, second and third anchorportions 105, 106 and 107 wherein it serves to attach the mailing label102 to a mailpiece. The adhesive coating 125 on the return addressportion 108 serves to attach the return address portion 108 to theback-side of the return receipt postcard portion 104. The adhesivecoating 125 on the auxiliary label 109 is used either to keep theauxiliary label 109 affixed to its associated portion of the backingsheet 103 or to affix the auxiliary label 109 to a mailpiece.

In use, and as shown in FIG. 11, the auxiliary label 109 may be detachedfrom a remainder of the mailing assembly 101 along with its associatedportion of the backing sheet 103 wherein the auxiliary label 109 may beretained by the sender of the article as a mailing receipt.

The combination of the return receipt postcard portion 104, the first,second and third anchor portions 105, 106 and 107, respectively, and thereturn address portion 108 are all detached from the backing sheet 103.The return address portion 108 may then be separated from the thirdanchor portion 107 along the fourth perforated tear line 113, foldedback along the fold line 128 and affixed onto the back side of thereturn receipt postcard portion 104 wherein the return address 126 andthe return address bar code 127 are in position to serve as the primaryreturn address label for the return receipt postcard portion 104 afterdelivery of the mailpiece.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the mailing label 102 is shown whereby thereturn address portion 108 has already been folded back and affixed tothe back side of the return receipt postcard portion 104. Suchconfiguration is that which the mailing label 102 is in immediatelyprior to its affixation to a mailpiece. Indeed, with the return addressportion 108 affixed to the back side of the return receipt postcardportion 104, the return address 126 and the return address bar code 127are in proper position to serve as the primary return address for thereturn receipt postcard portion 104 after delivery of the mailpiece. Toaffix to a mailpiece, the mailing label 102 shown in FIG. 12 may beflipped over whereby the adhesive coating 125 on the first, second andthird anchor portions 105, 106 and 107, respectively, securely contactsthe mailpiece.

FIG. 13 shows the preferred positioning of the mailing label 102 uponits affixation to a mailpiece 130. By substantially positioning themailing label 102 in the upper left hand corner of the mailpiece 130,the sender identification area 119 is positioned in the conventionalreturn address area of the mailpiece 130, the addressee identificationarea 118 is positioned in the conventional addressee area of themailpiece 130, and the special service identification area 116 isprominently displayed at the top-center of the mailpiece 130. Again, themailing label 102 is affixed to the mailpiece via the adhesive backing125 on the first, second and third anchor portions 105, 106 and 107,respectively.

Lastly, referring to FIG. 14, the preferred method of detaching thereturn receipt postcard portion 104 from the mailpiece 130 is shown.After delivery of the mailpiece 130, the return receipt postcard portion104 may be detached from the first, second and third anchor portions105, 106 and 107 along first, second and third perforated tear lines110, 111 and 112, respectively. With the return address portion 108(hidden from view) in place on the back side of the return receiptpostcard portion 104, the return receipt postcard portion 104 is readyto be mailed.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the hereinafterappended claims.

I claim:
 1. A mailing assembly for use with a mailpiece requiringdelivery by a special service, the assembly comprising:a backing sheet;and a mailing label removably attached to the backing sheet, the labelvariably printed with information necessary to complete the specialservice wherein the information includes variable information associatedwith the special service printed on demand, the label having at leastfirst and second anchor portions and a return receipt postcard portionwherein the return receipt postcard portion is disposed between thefirst and second anchor portions, the label further having a returnaddress portion laterally disposed and connected to the return receiptpostcard portion.
 2. The mailing assembly according to claim 1 furthercomprising:an adhesive layer between the mailing label and the backingsheet.
 3. The mailing assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:aspecial service designation section identifying the special service; anda special service information section including data necessary to effectthe delivery by the special service.
 4. The mailing assembly accordingto claim 1 further comprising:a colored background conforming withexisting postal guidelines on color designation representative of thespecial service selected.
 5. The mailing assembly according to claim 1wherein the return receipt postcard portion is detachable from the firstand second anchor portions.
 6. The mailing assembly according to claim 1further comprising:a special service designation section for identifyingboth the special service and an article number for the mailpiece whereinthe special service designation section has a colored backgroundconforming with existing postal guidelines on color designationrepresentative of the special service selected and further wherein thespecial service designation section remains on the mailpiece afterattachment of the mailing label to the mailpiece.
 7. The mailingassembly according to claim 1 further comprising:tear lines positionedbetween adjoining edges of the return receipt postcard portion and eachof the first and second anchor portions wherein the return receiptpostcard portion is removably connected to the first and second anchorportions.
 8. The mailing assembly according to claim 1 furthercomprising:a fold line positioned between adjoining edges of the returnreceipt postcard portion and the return address portion.
 9. The mailingassembly according to claim 1 further comprising:an auxiliary labeladhesively affixed to the backing sheet and detachably connected to themailing label.
 10. The mailing assembly according to claim 9 wherein theauxiliary label is laterally disposed from the return receipt postcardportion and adjacent to the return address portion.
 11. The mailingassembly according to claim 9 wherein the auxiliary label remainsadhesively affixed to a portion of the backing sheet upon detachmentfrom the mailing label.
 12. The mailing assembly according to claim 9wherein the auxiliary label is a mailing receipt.
 13. A method forautomating imaging of a generic mailing label for one of a plurality ofspecial mailing services for a mailpiece requiring delivery by aselected one of the plurality of special mailing services, the methodcomprising the steps of:providing a label including a return postcardportion and a return address portion wherein the return address portionis attached to the return postcard portion without a line of separationbetween the return postcard portion and the return address portion;selecting one of the plurality of special mailing services for themailpiece; entering data necessary to effect delivery of the mailpieceby the selected one of the plurality of special mailing services for themailpiece; processing the data to generate corresponding imaging data,the imaging data including a return address; and printing the imagingdata on the label relating to delivery of the mailpiece by the selectedone of the plurality of special mailing services and printing the returnaddress on the return address portion.
 14. The method of claim 13further comprising the steps of:indicating on the label the selected oneof the plurality of special mailing services; and entering an articlenumber on the label.
 15. The method of claim 13 further comprising thestep of:providing a colored background on a designated area of thelabel, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelineson a color designation representative of the selected one of theplurality of special mailing services.
 16. The method of claim 13further comprising the step of:calculating a cost associated withdelivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality ofspecial mailing services.
 17. A system for automating imaging of ageneric mailing label for one of a plurality of special mailing servicesfor a mailpiece requiring delivery by a selected one of the plurality ofspecial mailing services, the system comprising:means for providing alabel including a return postcard portion and a return address portionwherein the return address portion is attached to the return postcardportion without a line of separation between the return postcard portionand the return address portion; means for selecting one of the pluralityof special mailing services for the mailpiece; means for entering datanecessary to effect delivery of the mailpiece by the selected one of theplurality of special mailing services for the mailpiece; means forprocessing the data to generate corresponding imaging data, the imagingdata including a return address; and means for printing the imaging dataon the label relating to delivery of the mailpiece by the selected oneof the plurality of special mailing services and for printing the returnaddress on the return address portion.
 18. The system of claim 17wherein the means for printing indicates on the label the selected oneof the plurality of special mailing services and enters an articlenumber on the label.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the means forprinting provides a colored background on a designated area of thelabel, the colored background conforming with existing postal guidelineson a color designation representative of the selected one of theplurality of special mailing services.
 20. The system of claim 17further comprising:means for calculating a cost associated with deliveryof the mailpiece by the selected one of the plurality of special mailingservices.